New York, Feb 20 (IANS): Popular video-sharing site YouTube is all set to launch a new app designed for kids that will offer original episodes of TV shows aimed at youngsters, in addition to videos from child-centric channels on YouTube.

Slated for Feb 23 launch, the app called YouTube Kids will also let parents set timers to stop their kids from watching videos too long, The Verge reported.

Available for Android users for now, the app has a kid-friendly design with big, bulbous icons and minimal scrolling.

The home screen has large tiles featuring images from popular TV shows and four simple icons - shows, music, learning and explore.

This will help children browse through top videos.

Parents can also search through the app's list of approved content, including videos created by National Geographic Kids, Thomas & Friends, LeVar Burton's Reading Rainbow, and the puppetmasters at the Jim Henson Company, the report added.

YouTube Kids will reportedly be distinct from YouTube's regular app.

"Parents were constantly asking us, can you make YouTube a better place for our kids," Shimrit Ben-Yair, YouTube product manager, was quoted as saying in a USA Today report.